Give Quitting a Go and Give Yourself a Pay Rise

31 May 2011

World Smokefree Day could be the perfect opportunity to increase your bank balance.

For a twenty-a-day smoker, quitting the habit can amount to an extra $100 a week, $400 a month or more than $5000 a year - that’s a nice bonus!

“In fact, it’s like a double bonus,” explains Taranaki DHB health promoter Jill Nicholls. “You beat the addiction that’s killing you and affecting those around you, and end up with more cash in the bank. Essentially it’s like giving yourself a pay rise!”

World Smokefree Day is an international event observed in New Zealand on May 31 each year. It was created by the World Health Organisation to support and celebrate smokefree lives. “Give Quitting a Go” is the theme again this year, making this the ideal day to quit.

Members of the Taranaki Smokefree Coalition will be in New Plymouth’s central city Huatoki Plaza on Tuesday 31st May between 11am and 1.30 pm to provide quitting advice and support, including patches, lozenges and gum. We will be encouraging people to consider quitting smoking and highlighting the many sources of help available. There are treats for everyone who signs up to quit on this day.

Matt Davy from The Edge, with his PA and music, will add a carnival atmosphere to the Plaza. Come along and find out about:

What are some of the nasty ingredients in cigarettesHow many groceries you can buy for the same price as two packets of cigarettes
Your general health by having a free heart health check
Opportunity to talk to other local people about their journey to make a quit attempt
Meet four of our Tenderlink Taranaki Rugby players

“Some people beat the addiction on their first try but for others it takes a few attempts. Even just using the patches, gum or lozenges doubles your chances. Those that also have support from services like Quitline or from our local Aukati Kaipaipa service at Piki Te Ora Nursing Limited and Ruanui Health Centre are up to five times more likely to succeed,” encourages Ms Nicholls.

“Give quitting a go this World Smokefree Day – and then you can start planning what you’re going to do with that extra cash!”

For further information on World Smokefree Day, go to: www.worldsmokefreeday.org.nz

For more information please call
Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph 021 367 789

Last updated: Friday, January 31, 2014